A junkyard-rescued 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle evolves into a 500-horsepower autocross contender after 25 years of home-built dedication.
Not every impressive muscle car build comes out of a high-end shop with a six-figure invoice. Some are born in garages, pieced together over decades with nothing but persistence, trial and error, and a love for the craft. That’s the story behind one 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle, a four-door sleeper that now delivers 500 horsepower and credibility on the autocross course.
Rescued from a junkyard for just $1,200, the Chevelle has been transformed by its owner over the course of 25 years. The focus was never on flashy paint or show-car polish, but on function and performance.
Under the hood, the Chevelle is powered by a 468-cubic-inch big-block V8, assembled from a bored-out 454 block. The carbureted engine, tuned through a Holley setup, pairs with a Muncie M22 four-speed manual and Gear Vendors overdrive, offering both street manners and track performance. Despite tipping the scales at more than 3,800 pounds, careful tuning allows it to achieve around 14 mpg on the highway—impressive for a car of its size and power.
The chassis has been heavily reinforced, including a box-frame from an El Camino. Suspension upgrades feature tubular control arms, stiffer springs, and Bilstein shocks, while wide 315-section tires on custom 18-inch steel wheels provide grip. Braking is a mix of discs up front and drums at the rear, supported by ducts and a bias valve for balance. A simple but aggressive exhaust system exits through three-inch pipes and race mufflers.
Inside, the Chevelle remains spartan, with functional gauges, a homemade harness bar, and air conditioning for California heat. The owner has campaigned the car at various autocross events, even against Porsche club members, often finishing just a few seconds behind.
It may not be a six-figure restomod, but this Chevelle proves that dedication and creativity can produce a machine that’s both competitive and personal.